HHSRS Hazard 25 - Hot Surfaces and Materials

Hazard 25 - Hot Surfaces and Materials

This hazard covers threats of:

• Burns - injuries caused by contact with a hot flame or fire, and contact with hot objects or hot non-water based liquids
• Scalds - injuries caused by contact with hot liquids and vapours.

It includes burns caused by clothing catching alight from a controlled fire or flame, for example, when reaching across a gas flame or open fire used for heating. It does not include burns resulting from an uncontrolled fire at a dwelling.

Around 50% of severe burn and scald injuries to young children happen in the kitchen. The most common items involved in these accidents are cups and mugs of hot drinks, kettles, teapots, coffee pots, saucepans, cookers and chip pans and deep fryers.

Vulnerable Group: Children under 5 years

Defects & Justifications

• Unprotected hot surfaces - exposed surfaces to fixed appliances or pipework with surface temperatures of 43 deg C or more.
• Unguarded open flames - to space or water heating appliances.
• Hot water to bath - water from bath and basin taps supplied above 46 deg C.
• Hot water to sink - water from kitchen sink taps supplied above 60 deg C.
• Thermostatic taps - no thermostatically controlled taps or incorrectly set thermostatically controlled mixer taps or anti scald devices.
• Kitchen layout - poor layout or inadequate space to kitchen, in particular where cooker or worktop is sited close to a door or thoroughfare.
• Inadequate separation - of kitchen from living or sleeping areas.
• Surface/liquid temperature - the temperature of the hot liquid or surface.
• Exposure - the length of time exposure is expected.

Index of HHSRS Hazards